Passover—aka Pesach—is an eight-day Jewish holiday that celebrates the end of the Israelites’ slavery in Egypt. This year’s holiday runs from April 1-9. It starts with two nights of special meals called Seders, and throughout the week, observers forgo eating leavened bread in honor of the Jews who fled Egypt before their bread had time to rise. Find full Passover meals, a la carte dishes and delicious desserts at these local spots.
Celebrity Delly
This Jewish deli in Falls Church is always on top of the holidays. For your Seder table, it’s preparing a meal that would feed a minimum of five people at a cost of $45 per person. It includes matzoh, charoset and matzoh ball soup. Then you have to make some choices: gefilte fish or chopped liver? Oven-braised brisket, oven-roasted chicken breast or lemon dill salmon? Flourless chocolate cake or apple matzoh kugel? Fortunately, there’s no wrong answer. 7263 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church
Balducci’sÂ
This specialty grocery store has you covered for the holiday. Order a la carte or get a custom dinner for a group. The latter serves six and comes with brisket, roasted lamb, lemon-thyme roasted chicken, Mediterranean-stuffed salmon, roasted garlic and scallion turkey breast, or Spinach Masagna (lasagna made with matzo). Each comes with one starter, three sides, two extras and one dessert. Starters include chicken soup and gefilte fish. Options for sides are carrot and sweet potato tzimmes and parmesan artichokes. Top it off with a seven-layer cake or almond macaroons. 6655 Old Dominion Drive, McLean
Call Your Mother
The Jew-ish deli with a spot in McLean and another coming soon to Ballston is bringing back its popular Passover Schweets, courtesy of James Beard award finalist chef Daniela Moreira. They include Piña Colada Macaroons, Peanut Butter Chocolate Macaroons, Toffee Matzo Brittle with PecansReserve some starting March 16 or try your luck at getting them in the store. They will be available only April 1-9. 6232 Old Dominion Drive, McLean
Chutzpah Deli
Supplement your spread with traditional dishes from this slice of New York in Fairfax. Get plates of mini latkes (traditional or sweet potato with pecans), matzo ball soup, charoset, stuffed cabbage, orange-glazed corned beef, za’atar-roasted chicken, homemade applesauce, and orange carrots. Passover and flourless cakes are also available on request. 12214 Fairfax Towne Center, Fairfax
Sababa
This modern Israeli restaurant in D.C.’s Cleveland Park will be serving charoset, braised salmon with olives and rice, and braised brisket with tzimmes (sweet potato, carrots, prunes and walnuts). These dishes are available for dine-in and takeout April 1-9. 3311 Connecticut Ave., Washington, D.C.
Whole Foods Market
The catering arm of this grocery chain is ready to help this Passover. It has favorites such as burgundy-braised brisket, matzo ball soup and honey-lemon roasted salmon. Get a meal that serves four with sides such as Asparagus with Citrus & Herbs, Honey Roasted Carrots, and Garlic & Parsley Fingerling potatoes, or go a la carte. Either way, finish the dinner with something sweet, like chocolate-dipped coconut macaroons. Check the website for the closest location.